When I was in grade 5, memorizing multiplication tables was a big deal. Each student had to stand up in front of the classroom and rattle off times table as quickly as possible (“nine times one is nine, nine times two is eighteen, nine times three is twenty-seven etc.”). Our teacher would time us with a stopwatch and then write our times on a large board at the front of the classroom.
I was pretty good… so it became a “thing” as the other students waited for the day when I’d inevitably make a mistake.
Never one to give in to pressure, I memorized those times tables with something that resembled an obsession and went undefeated all year. My classmates today (25 years later) still remember me as this multiplication wizard, when in reality… I just worked really, really hard.
The Multiplication Tables Of Piano Lessons
I always tell my piano students that intervals are the multiplication tables of piano lessons… and that if they take the time to work hard at interval recognition, playing piano will be much more pleasurable.
But drilling interval recognition doesn’t have to be as dry as reciting times tables. So today we’re sharing a fun printable you can use to help your piano students recognize harmonic intervals quickly and correctly! The printable is based off of the theme of one of the four games we released in July to members of Teach Piano Today’s PianoGameClub.
Before you get to today’s printable below, take a moment to preview July’s games from PianoGameClub by clicking on the image below. Then, If you like what you see and want to receive four great piano games each and every month, visit PianoGameClub here to sign up today for just $8 monthly. Note: This game set is only available until July 31, 2018 only. Sign up today and we’ll start you off with this game set.
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Reinforcing Intervals With This Printable Dice Game
We hope you enjoyed the preview of July’s games. Now, let’s get to today’s interval reading printable! This printable is designed to reinforce recognition of intervals of a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th. To begin, click on the image below (or click here), print out the activity, and then read the following instructions to your student:
- Sit on the floor with the worksheet placed in front. Place six dice into a plastic cup. On the word, “Go!” shake the dice in the cup and then pour them out onto the floor. Your teacher will start a timer.
- Choose any die and examine its value. Place the die over the interval on the worksheet that matches its value. For example, if the die displays a ‘2’, place it on the worksheet over an interval of a second.
- Repeat Step 2 until all dice are placed on the worksheet. At this point your teacher will stop the timer and record your time. Play another round.
Such fun! I was wondering if you could make a sheet just like this but without the intervals listed! I was thinking it would be fun to have laminated blank cards and have the students write in their own intervals. Then the group could switch cards and play. That way they have a new board every time and get practice writing intervals!
Hi Diane! Thanks for reading! We just don’t have the time to make different variations of our free printables, but you are always welcome to take our ideas and make games that work for your own studio’s needs 🙂 Enjoy! Sounds like a fun idea!
A great idea for a fun game! Thanks again for brightening another piano day for me.
PS. Did you mean to include also the reinforcement of 6ths in your description of the purpose of this game?
Yes 🙂